The meaning of the primary Hebrew word (Meshoovoh) translated backsliding(s) in the Scriptures is "a turning, or a sliding." It is as if one is going in one direction, then suddenly stops, turns away towards another direction, or begins to slide backward from whence he came. God’s opinion of this act is: "know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts."(Jer. 2:19)

The meaning of the second Hebrew word (Sorar) translated backsliding in the Scriptures is "to be stubborn." It is found in Hosea 4:16: "For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer..." The idea carried is that one is so stubborn that he sits down like a mule or heifer on his own opinions and he refuses to be moved even by "Thus saith the LORD God!" His mind is set and cannot be moved, and the consequences are of little importance to him.

The meaning of the Hebrew word "Soog" translated backslider in the Scriptures is "one who turns back." As in Prov. 14:14: "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways..." The backslider is not led by the way of true righteousness, for he has determined in his heart that his ways are justifiable. His ways reflect his sin clouded reasoning of the heart.

Stubbornness is a refusal to yield, to obey, or to comply. It is resisting with a determined obstinacy. Again, it is being hard to handle, hard to deal with, pigheaded, opinionated, and self-willed. One becomes a backslider when he or she becomes so full of self that he or she refuses to hear, to yield, to obey, or to comply with the Word of God. He becomes hard to deal with as a stubborn heifer, resisting God with great obstinacy, and in his opinionated pigheadedness he turns away from godliness to follow after worldliness and self-fulfillment. His eyes are no longer upon the Lord Jesus; rather they are upon his own self-gratification. He does as Israel did: "they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: but turned back, and dealt unfaithfully..." (Ps. 78:56,57)

Does this describe YOU? Are you stubborn against the will of God in your life? Are you refusing to walk in the ways of righteousness? Rest for the soul comes when one ceases to resist God!

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

Christians should excel in the manifestation of Christ's character. The mind which was in Jesus, should be in them. They should consider His character as a model of their own; and be conspicuous for their . . . poverty of spirit,
meekness,
gentleness,
and love.

It is matter of surprise and regret, that many people seem to think that Christianity has nothing to do with character! And that provided they are free from gross sins, and have lively feelings in devotional exercises,

they may be as petulant, irritable, and implacable as they please! This is a dreadful error, and has done great mischief to the cause of God!

A sour, ill-natured Christian, is like a lamb with a wolf's head! Or like a dove with a vulture's beak!

If there be any one word which above all others should describe a Christian's character, it is that which represents his divine Father; and as it is said, that 'God is love', so should it be also affirmed, that a Christian is love--love embodied, an incarnation of love! His words, his conduct, his very looks--should be so many expressions of love!

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be

imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us!" Ephesians 4:32-5:2